Re: Hobbyist CNC router

I lost all my bookmarks on this subject when the computer died.... BUT, Google Desktop CNC. There was a company that sold one about 12x18" for suprisingly cheap. It's made out of MDF though. I don't know how you feel about that.

There are also lots of resources for building your own for next to nothing. A good one was on Instructables, several on CNC Zone (they have a whole section for this) and several very good sites devoted to the DIY'er.

Re: Hobbyist CNC router

Hi Doc;

I'm working on creating a unit for sale through Parallax.

Have not yet decided if it will be a kit or pe-assembled. Perhaps the precision things pre-assembled but in a "knock-down" format. The small unit has a work envelope of 8.5 x 11 inches. The Z stroke probably several options.... 4 to 8 inches.

An optional high speed spindle (up to 60,000 RPM) will be available for the purpose of drilling, isolation routing and cutting out printed circuit boards. The automatic tool changer (1/8 dia shank) is starting to working nicely.... some more tweaking required.

I'm targetting a precision of 3 thou, and have precision lead screws and recirculating linear ball slides on all three axes. The maximum travel speed is just over 3 inches/sec.

There will also be an optional plastics extruder for 3 D "printing" solid models.

Lots more details to come, but these are the basics. I am not yet sure of the price, but anticipate being competitive with comparable equipment.

Later a next generation machine will have an 11 x 17 inch work envelope.

Re: Hobbyist CNC router

Invent-O-Doc,

Small CNC machines in the form of kits are available from several resources. I would expect to pay around $1000.00 for something of decent quality.

The unfortunate side of these cheap/small CNC machines is that many are only a CNC machine in principle - they look like one. Some kits use old surplus motors and other parts, which when inventory runs out, they are gone for good. Some machines are made from wood or other unacceptable materials (plastic etc.)

At a glance features to look for in a small machine...
Aluminum construction - forget all other materials
Linear ways that are not "home made"
Square case steppers - bi polar
MACH CNC software - huge YAHOO group for help

Someone already suggested Probotix which looks decent, ane other one is http://www.romaxxcnc.com/ which are very good machines.

I make both little and big CNC machines. The big ones I build for a living sell for around a million dollars, the little ones I build for fun at home typically cost around $1000.00 to $1500.00. This link should take you to my youtube channel which shows my most recent machine and control that I am creating - it uses the propeller chip in the control so that might be worth a watch ;-)